[.ca] The Last Taboo: A Survival Guide to Mental Health Care ... (ISBN 0771080638)

Amazon.ca:
At any one time, 3 million Canadians suffer from mental disorders. The Last Taboo helps to dispel the stigma associated with mental disabilities--health conditions that affect the afflicted, their families, friends, co-workers, doctors, and society in general. Based on Scott Simmie's award-winning “Out of Mind” series of articles in The Toronto Star, Taboo uses the co-author's personal journey into the world of psychiatric illness, along with the stories of many others, to illustrate why mental health should be a top concern. The book is wide-ranging: it defines the many faces of mental disorders, including causes such as genetics and environment; explains how mental disorders are diagnosed; and recommends how to get care--for both the sufferer and those who want to help. (A startling revelation is that suicide accounts for more deaths than car accidents and homicides combined; the authors treat the devastating act with compassion, revealing some of the signs and symptoms of those who may commit suicide, as well as offering suggestions for what to do to help someone with suicidal tendencies.) Also included is information on natural remedies for mental health disorders, such as vitamins, nutrition, exercise, and more. Stressing that anyone is susceptible to mental illness, even highly successful public figures, the authors write about Canadian actress Margot Kidder, who relies on orthomolecular therapy (vitamin, mineral and/or nutritional supplements) to cope with bipolar disorder. Though lacking an index, the book's organization makes for easy referencing, and the list of resources is excellent. Overall, The Last Taboo is comprehensive and highly recommended for patients, families, doctors, and anyone interested in the mental health-care field. --Ken Vegotsky